Ninth lap, he struggled to keep up. His steps were uneven.
But he didn't stop. Kang Dae raised a brow in surprise.
On the tenth lap, his body disagreed with him, begging for rest, but he didn't stop until he hit the mark.
He bent slightly, then collapsed. Kang Dae walked to him. "You are slower than I expected," he said.
Seo Jin wiped the sweat from his temple. "But I finished."
That made Kang Dae pause for a moment.
Then he scoffed lightly. "Good."
Just one word. Till today, Seo Jin never knew he was a fan of acknowledgment.
Because why did the word "good" almost make him cry?
Though the person who said it didn't think much of it, he did.
Seo Jin looked up. "That's all?"
"From tomorrow morning, running ten laps should be part of your daily routine," he said. "I might not be available in the morning to watch you, but I have spies."
Kang Dae said before walking away.
Seo Jin dragged himself to his room without thinking twice. He stripped himself and soaked in a warm bath to help his bones.
After his warm shower to relax his body, he stood up from the bathtub, water dripping and glistening on his skin.
He picked up his towel to dry himself, walking out of the bathroom. As he pushed the door open, it revealed So Jeo standing there with his usual blank face.
So Jeo, oblivious to Seo Jin being naked, pulled the door open without knocking, only to be met with the sight of Seo Jin's wet body with only a towel wrapped around his waist.
He did not think twice as he pushed the door shut. So Jeo walked away immediately.
Seo Jin stood shocked and speechless. Did So Jeo just see him naked?
But he didn't think it was weird since they were all men. What shocked him more was why So Jeo locked the door and left.
Did he leave because of his privacy?
He shook his head. That cold-hearted man was not that considerate.
He wasn't one to think deeply about meaningless things. He picked up his clothes from his wardrobe.
His wardrobe was stocked, but they were not expensive clothes. Not that he was expecting that—he was just a bodyguard.
Nothing special.
Slipping into his clothes, he didn't think twice before jumping on the bed. Sleep took over immediately.
He slept like a baby, dreaming about no one apart from his mother. He couldn't help but feel guilty. He was living a good life, not knowing where his mum was right now.
The night passed without a second thought. Rested, his body alarm rang, waking him up.
He looked at the ceiling as usual before the previous memories sank in.
Run!!!
He almost felt like forcing sleep back, but he knew it was for his own good.
He needed to build his stamina and strength. Maybe then he could save his mom without needing anyone's help.
"Yes!!," Seo Jin thought. He should pretend and willingly train. When he could finally fight, then he would escape and save his mother.
That was a good plan.
Gingerly, he came down from the bed, not bothering to take a bath because after running he would be sweaty anyway.
He simply washed his mouth and face before walking out to the track and beginning to run.
Like usual, the first round was like a breeze to him.
The second, his breath became a little uneven.
By the ninth round, his sight was slightly blurry.
But Seo Jin, having thick skin for endurance and being very stubborn, made sure to run the last one before he fell down.
"You are slower than I expected." The words rang in his head, and he clenched his fist.
He needed to try better.
Seo Jin sat for a few minutes before gathering his strength. Walking nearby, he spotted the tap from yesterday.
He opened it, letting the water flow, took a palm full into his mouth, then washed the sweat off.
He quickly shut the tap to stop it from wasting water.
Now he didn't know what to do.
Seo Jin sighed.
He could have gone to the training, but he knew it would have been over by now.
Spotting the training room—or should he call it a gym—he glanced at it sideways.
A plan clicked.
He could try again with the weights. He checked left and right, and seeing no one, he sneaked in.
He wasn't sure if anyone could enter without permission, so prevention was better.
He entered the gym, spotting the weights. He picked the smallest one, making sure his fingers were firm around the metal handle.
Remembering the instructions, he lifted it slowly.
It came up a little smoother than yesterday, but his arm still felt strain almost immediately, though not enough to drop it.
He exhaled through his nose.
"Again," he whispered.
He lowered it carefully, then lifted it up slowly again.
Up.
Down.
Up.
By the third repetition, his breathing had started to change—not heavy, like he was gasping for air, but controlled.
He ignored it.
On the fourth lift, his arm trembled.
He paused for a minute, then continued like nothing happened.
Fifth, sixth.
By the seventh time, sweat had already begun to form on his temple, even though he had wiped it multiple times.
His jaw tightened.
"Don't stop," he muttered.
He lifted again.
But this time, it felt heavier than when he started—obviously because he was tired.
His arm slowed halfway, his shoulder resisting.
His body was clearly saying no again.
He couldn't help but despise his weak body.
His body and mindset always seemed to oppose each other.
Seo Jin's eyes narrowed. "No," he whispered, forcing it up again.
He managed to lift it, but the strain shot through his arm.
He lowered it quickly, breathing slightly harder now, still standing and holding the weight.
He repeated again.
Up.
Down.
Up.
He lost count after a while. It wasn't about numbers anymore; it was about not stopping.
Like he was teaching his body not to oppose his mind.
A sound suddenly came from behind him.
"Wrong posture."
Seo Jin froze.